The sun is teasing us; it is 9PM but she (for the sun is definitely a ‘she’ today) is still far from the horizon. In the summer, she likes to stay out later in this part of the world.

Windows rolled down, I breathe in the smell of the river, the dusty ground and the car fumes. Music fills my ears and my heart, and I sing out loud. The others pass around warm wine, and laughter echoes in the car despite the language barriers.

It doesn’t take much to make me fall in love with life: sunshine, music and good company.

By the time we get home the sun is grapefruit red and has spilt her colours around the sky. She is setting gracefully and sends a warm smile my way.

“I will only sleep for five hours today,” she says “but it has definitely been worth staying up to watch you kids have fun.”

“A tree’s roots are nearer than anything else to the heart of the earth and its crown nearer to the sky. None of the things which enable it to live depends upon its own will. It exists; that is all.”~ Susanna Tamaro – ‘Follow Your Heart‘